Journal of Mineral and Material Science
[ ISSN : 2833-3616 ]
Chemical and Mineralogical Analysis of Pegmatites with Interesting Potential for the Ceramics and Glass Industries
1University of Maroua, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, Cameroon
2University of Ngaoundéré, School of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Industries, Cameroon
Corresponding Authors
Keywords
Abstract
Today, local resources are at the heart of research and experimentation into the levers of economic development. With this in mind, two pegmatite deposits, one MDM and the other PGL, from Kaélé and Lagdo respectively, were subjected to chemical and mineralogical analyses. Analyses included X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). X-ray fluorescence shows that SiO2 (68.47 and 69.20%) and Al2 O3 (12.44 and 14.39%) oxides are in the majority, followed by K2 O (6.82 and 6.69%) and Na2 O (4.83 and 5.84%) in both materials. The oxides Fe2 O3 (3.05 and 1.54%) and CaO (0.85 and 1.03%) are in relatively small quantities. The FTIR and XRD spectra of MDM and PGL show quartz to be the dominant mineral, with feldspars (albite, K-feldspar, microcline and anorthite) and iron oxide fluoride associated with it. The glass industry uses large quantities of feldspars for their high alumina content and low melting point, which makes them excellent fluxes. They are also used in the manufacture of ceramics, porcelain and glazed pottery. More specifically, potassium feldspar is used in the manufacture of earthenware and sanitaryware. The results of the chemical and mineralogical compositions obtained from MDM and PGL materials show that they have the characteristics required for use as raw materials in the ceramics and glassmaking industries.